AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And if it did?” She placed her hand on his thigh, felt his muscles bunch tight beneath the soft denim, and smiled. “Get me in trouble, I mean.”
“Then I guess I’d just have to swoop in and rescue you again.” He kissed her softly on the lips. “Like always.”
Hayley sat back and scrunched her nose, taking his obvious bait. “Seriously? You did not just say that to me.”
“Hey.” He held up his hands in mock surrender, his expression smug. “I call ’em like I see ’em.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“Well, call this then.” She fisted her hands in his hair and pulled him in for a deep, hot kiss, not caring that everyone in the cafeteria could see them. By the time she pulled back, they were both breathless. “What do you have to say about that?”
“More, please.” He yanked her against him and kissed her back with just as much passion. He was the one who pulled away this time, his lips wet and his eyes smoldering with wicked intent. “God, I love you, Red.”
Her heart leapt. “You do?”
“I do.”
“I love you too.” She grinned. “You really think I should take it?”
Scotty took a deep breath and raked a hand through his now-disheveled hair. “I think, as much as I want to lock you away and protect you from even a paper cut, you’re a woman who can more than take care of herself. I think you should do whatever makes you happy, Red.”
Damn.She’d expected a fight, and here he was being more loveable than ever. Truth was, they were a great team, and that wouldn’t change no matter where she worked. Plus, he was right. If she was on the inside, she might be able to access intel that would help them find out the truth about Nick Matthews’s death. “Okay.”
“Good.” He smiled and pulled her closer once more.
She leaned in to kiss him again but was interrupted by Spencer and Kyle sliding into the booth across from them while Gage pulled up chairs for him and Anna at the end of the table.
“What are all of you doing here?” Scotty asked. “I thought I made it clear we wanted some privacy.”
“You’ve been down here forever, man,” Spencer said. “We figured you died of food poisoning or something.”
“The nurses made us leave the waiting area upstairs,” Kyle said. “I saw a couple of high-level military guys arriving just as we exited, so I’m guessing they’ll be taking Natalie away soon.”
“Yeah.” Hayley tucked a lock of her auburn hair behind her ear. She didn’t like keeping important information from the guys, such as the fact that Natalie was going into witness protection, but she’d made a promise. “I’m sure everything will work out in the end.”
“So, you guys still together or what?” Spencer asked.
“Why is that any of your business?” Gage kissed the back of Anna’s hand. “Some of us have private lives, you know.”
“Don’t rub it in.” Spencer scowled and sat back.
Hayley reached over and patted Spencer’s hand. “Don’t worry. The right woman will come along soon enough.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” he said.
She wanted to ask about that, but Scotty squeezed her thigh beneath the table. Whether he meant he knew this was a touchy subject for Spencer or he simply wanted to touch her, she’d take the hint. Things would work out. She’d take the promotion, Scotty and his team would continue investigating Nick’s case, and together they’d discover who was trying to set the SEALs up.
“You happy, Red?” Scotty whispered in her ear.
“Beyond happy. And you?”
“Ecstatic.” He winked.
“All right, guys,” Kyle started, giving Scotty a significant, shut-up look. “Here’s what we know…” And with that, they all settled in to plan out their next move.
EPILOGUE
